A sheep pen turned country garden in Blanco

The stone walls of a century-old sheep pen in Blanco, Texas, give structure and history to the country garden of James and Nancy Robinson.… Read More

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A year ago I received an invitation to visit a unique garden in Blanco, a small town an hour west of Austin in the Texas Hill Country. Because I was working nonstop on my book, I took a rain check until this spring. Recently I drove out with a friend to meet the owner, James Robinson, and see what he and his wife, Nancy, have created on their rural property.

James met us outside his walled-and-deer-fenced garden, which is located near the road — a surprising distance from their house. To reach their house, you continue along their winding driveway perhaps a quarter-mile, past a picturesque old barn and groves of live oaks.

It’s not exactly the backyard.

But I can see why James and Nancy made their garden in this spot. Limestone walls — the roofless structure of a sturdy sheep pen built 100 years ago — enclose the garden on three sides, providing protection from winter winds, a picturesque backdrop, and a connection to the property’s ranching history.

The walls give a feeling of age to the 12-year-old garden. They also create a house-like corner where an actual bed is made up with coverlet and pillows. I asked James if he ever sleeps out here. “We don’t nap on it,” he said, “but we do use it when it’s cold and the fire pit is going.” He told me it’s usually covered with a drop cloth, but they make it up for visitors. An old screen door leaning against the wall keeps the bed company, adding a dash of red echoed by Adirondack chairs and a flowering crossvine.